The July celebration scheduled to replace the Ice Cream Festive has become an octopus and sprouted tentacles all over the Grayson County community.

In addition to the financial support offered by area businesses, local groups and organizations are taking advantage of the opportunity offered and hosting fundraisers and other events during the second weekend in July.

The Leitchfield Fire Department has finalized plans to host a Pancake Breakfast, Saturday July 11th beginning at 6 a.m.

The breakfast will be held at Leitchfield Firehouse #2. The cost of the All You Can Eat meal will be $5 for adults and $3 for Children 12 and under

Houchens has agreed to sponsor the breakfast, with all proceeds going to the Crusade for Children.

• A Freedom Fest Bike Ride will take place Saturday, July 11 and is free. There is no registration required. This event will leave from Grayson County Middle School at 6:30 a.m. and run a 25 mile route. Helmets are required. For more info contact Joyce Embry at Embry’s Bike Division at 259-3900. Ride will include a refreshment stop.

• The Freedom 5K Run will be sponsored by Grayson County 4H. The run will start at the Grayson County Middle School at 7:30 p.m. Friday, July 10th. Contact Kindra Ewing or visit the 2009 Leitchfield Freedom Fest website to download an entry form.

• Details have been released for the Tennis Tournament. The tournament starts Friday. This will be a USCA sanctioned event and feature Jr. Team Matches that will be traveling to Leitchfield to compete during the festival.

The tournament will run both Friday night and all day Saturday at the Grayson County Middle School Tennis Courts. Event Coordinator: Sherry Vincent, contact info and signup: Christie Bolton Ph. 270-589-8277

• After the car and bike contest. The Motorcycle “Freedom Benefit Cruise” will take place. Friday July 10 5 p.m. join in the Freedom Benefit Cruise to help local homeless veterans. All proceeds go to help local area homeless veterans. Contact Sharon & Phil Glover at critter651@hotmail.com, 270-259-4614 or cell 270-230-2475.

• A new area band has signed the growing list of performers who will appear during this year’s Freedom Fest. The latest to sign is a local rock quartet named “Legacy the Band”.

For more information on these and all the events scheduled for the Leitchfield Freedom Fest visit, http://www.leitchfieldfreedomfest.com.